Nihiwatu, a small and exclusive island hideaway in eastern Indonesia is one of the most extraordinary resorts in an archipelago of the extraordinary. Among travelers "in the know" who seek excitement with absolute privacy, Nihiwatu's reputation is unrivalled — for starters, world class fishing, surfing and diving are sensational and right outside your door, and not far away are unforgettable activities that are absolutely beyond compare.

The property encompasses 175 hectares of tropical forest, rice terraces and grasslands, while its stunning two and half kilometers of beachfront are protected by headlands that ensure total exclusivity for guests. With an idyllic setting that is pristine, romantic and endlessly peaceful Nihiwatu is the perfect tropical retreat for honeymooners and couples.

Do everything or do nothing. Nihiwatu allows you kick back all day overlooking paradise, relax by the pool, take leisurely walks along the beach or island excursions. Excellent dining and suite accommodation are not overlooked, and the resort's friendly staff and leisure facilities ensure that amid the wonders of nature you have plenty of creature comforts.

Location & How to get there

Hotel
Bar/Pub, Hotel/Airport Transfer, Restaurant, Sports and Recreation, Massage, Pool Outdoor, Spa, Water Sports (Motorized)

Rooms
Air Conditioning, Balcony/Terrace, Hair Dryer, In Room Safe, Mini Bar, Shower, Facilities

Additional Information

Sustainability
We strive to minimize our impact on our environment and our community. In so doing we can set positive examples for our Sumbanese neighbors to follow and for our guests to take home with them. Listed below are some of the initiatives that have been implemented at Nihiwatu.

We recycle all of our waste. Glass, aluminum cans and plastics are deposited with recycling agents in Waikabubak who sell them in Java. Food scraps and light paper are composted. Cardboard is burned; the ash is used in our organic garden.

Used oil from our generators is stored in drums and given to villagers who use it as a healing skin ointment for livestock.

Bio-diesel fuel to power the resort will be coming from locally purchased coconuts. The Sumba Foundation is building a bio-diesel factory at Nihiwatu that will be completed in November. The long term sustainability of the project will be assured by our purchase of the bio-fuel. The villagers will benefit from selling their product (average sales US$100,000 per year) and the environment will benefit because the bio-fuel will cut our emissions pollution by 75%.

Wildlife is protected. We have successfully stopped the catching of sea turtles by the local fishermen in our area and we have a turtle hatchery at the resort. We buy turtle eggs that are dug up by the local people. The eggs are kept safe until they hatch then the turtles are released to the sea.

Trapped birds of all kinds are confiscated when found in villages and are set free. If they are too young we raise them until they can fly and be released. We have saved numerous Eagles, Falcons, Hawks and recently even a fully grown Pelican.

We have banned the cutting of trees and uncontrolled slash and burn agriculture on our 468 acre property. Farmers must get permission to burn undergrowth for small plot farming and we mange the annual rotation of these farms. The result has been a 20% increase in forested area in the last 15 years.

To offset our carbon footprint we have so far planted 8,000 Teak trees in a 5 hectare area. This December we will plant another 20,000 trees and, over the next 7 years, we are committed to planting a total of 160,000 trees on a 100 hectare area of land near the Pededewatu Market.

Waste water from our accommodation, public area and back of house facilities is treated in small bio-mass treatment plants and then recycled to water the grass and garden areas.

Recognition
Tourism for Tomorrow Awards - Investor in People Award - 2007
Tatler Travel Guide - 101 Best Hotels in the World - 2006
Conde Nast Traveler - Green List - 2006
First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards - Best Hotel - 2005

STYLE

Boutique Hideaway

SETTING

Unspoilt Sumba

ROOM RATES

From US$ 0/Night

YEAR OPENED

1989

ENVIRONMENT RATING

SIZE

7 Bungalows, 3 villas

ARCHITECT

GREAT FOR

Fishing, Surfing, Diving

BEST ROOM

2 Bedroom Villas

EXPERIENCE

World Class Fishing

Exceptional fishing grounds are only minutes away in our fully equipped deep-sea fishing boat.

ADVENTURE

Diving

Fortunate to have a choice of diverse dive sites that are right in front of the resort. Further afield, there is heart-pounding adventure diving on reefs and seamounts along the coast where masses of large pelagic fish congregate.

SEE

Surf

Just 100 yards off of Nihiwatu beach is one of the world’s most perfect waves for surfing.

PAMPER

SPA

At our Spa you will find a large variety of massage and body treatments that not only please the body but also soothe the soul.

DISCOVER

Overland Tours

Jeep tours to beaches and important traditional villages and markets.